Campaign prods ladies to work more exercise into their schedules

The American Cancer Society is urging women across Nebraska to get more active to improve their health, as a survey finds women are 10% less likely than men to make time for physical activities.

Agency spokeswoman Theresa Allen says a new program called “Choose You” can help.

“‘Choose You’ is really a movement to get women to take care of their own needs,” Allen says. “I think as moms, we tend to focus on the rest of the family and not enough on ourselves, so it’s really a movement to get us to put ourselves first.”

Allen says more physical activity is just a part of the program that seeks to help women with overall health.

It also includes things like eating right, quitting smoking, getting regular health check-ups and protecting your skin in the sun.

“There are different segments that you can click on — the eat right, get active and such — and it gives you hints and tips on how to do those things,” Allen says. “For instance, I’m getting active. We adopted a dog about nine months ago and she has got me moving like I have never moved before, so for me, it’s getting active and being more physically aware.”